China’s Role in Dividing Europe: The Macron-von der Leyen Clash

French President Emmanuel Macron’s statements yesterday, Sunday, about the need for Europe to pursue a strategy independent of both Washington and Beijing, raised many questions and speculation about the possibility of reaching an agreement in Europe’s relations with the Chinese dossier and relations with Putin . in light of the sharp international political polarization and the American alignment in the face of one of the world’s largest economic giants.

Macron felt in an interview with a journalist on the plane returning from Beijing that “the worst thing is the belief that Europeans should follow or adapt to the American rhythm, or China’s exaggerated reaction to the Taiwanese affair.”

harsh speech

However, these phrases crystallized a clear difference from the approach of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who, in turn, visited China last Thursday, but her reception was not as ceremonial as Macron’s.

Especially since European diplomacy a few days ago published a sharply worded letter in which it criticized Chinese President Xi Jinping and his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Siham also criticized the 12-point peace plan announced by Beijing last month aimed at restarting talks between Moscow and Kiev, suggesting that any plan to speed up Russian annexation was “unworkable.”

These two European positions (Macron and Foden der Leyen) show, according to many observers, the differentiation of European positions towards China, which supports Russia. US-China tension.

Moreover, Paris and Berlin strive to maintain a strong thread of relations, especially in the field of trade.

While other countries tend to be tougher on China, especially former Soviet countries wary of Moscow, Beijing’s closest ally.

unipolar politics

Meanwhile, it remains undeniable that Macron’s visit to China and his subsequent statements more than ever proved that the unipolar policy that China and Russia have always criticized no longer works.

It also showed Paris’ open opposition to economic alienation, which the United States is promoting as a way to reduce security risks through comprehensive export controls and reorganization of supply chains.

As far as the Ukrainian war is concerned, the French president has carefully balanced Western and Chinese views on the war in Ukraine without achieving any breakthrough.

In this context, Jean-Pierre Cabestan, professor of political science at the University of Hong Kong, said: “Macron has shown, in the midst of the escalation of the Cold War with China, that he is going against the tide,” given that he played the “Gall card”, referring to Charles de Gaulle’s assertion immediately after His victory in World War II led to his country’s independence from the United States, according to the New York Times.

Notably, the French president, in his statements yesterday, also urged Europe not to “enter into the logic of bloc against bloc” and called on Europeans to “wake up”, saying: “Our priority is not to adapt to the agenda of others in different regions of the world.”